High Wing vs Low Wing Aircraft

By JetAviator7 on Jan 29, 2010 with Comments 3

As Cessna and Piper renew their competition for the trainer aircraft market we find the old argument still rages over a low-wing airplane versus the high-wing airplane. And just like Democrats and Republicans, Cessna and Piper aficionados gleefully engage in this ongoing argument.

The low wingers point out the ability to see and avoid aircraft above descending into you, while the high wingers point out how they can avoid descending into another aircraft. You can make the argument any way you want, depending on your experience and point of view, but in the end it appears to be more a matter of personal choice rather than some safety advantage.
The Cessna SkycatcherOne of the more interesting things I note is that the very first popular general aviation airplanes, the one that got the public into flying, was the high wing Piper J-3 Cub! Somewhere along the way Piper decided to concentrate on low wing airplanes, while Cessna continued to prefer high wing aircraft (with the notable exception of multi-engine aircraft).

Piper Sport Aircraft
But even among multi-engine aircraft we find both styles. The Aero Commander with its high wing design, the Beech, Cessna and Piper twins being low wing aircraft. While over my career I have flown many different makes and models of aircraft, I always seem to prefer the high wing version. This is probably because I learned to fly in the Cessna 172 so many years ago.

So, with no real resolution to the question I put it to you, my readers. How about entering a comment and let me know which you prefer – high wing or low wing. Don’t hesitate, let me know what YOU think?

Until next time keep your wings straight and level Hersch!

JetAviator7

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute.

— George Bernard Shaw

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Filed Under: Aircraft • Safety

About the Author: John White is an ATP Pilot with several type ratings including the venerable Douglas DC-3. Over the years he has been both a charter pilot, flight instructor, corporate flight department head and retired from a 30 year career in the aviation insurance business in 2004.

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  1. High Wing vs Low Wing Aircraft | All Things Aviaton « Helicopter Flight says:
    January 29, 2010 at 6:21 am

    [...] The rest is here: High Wing vs Low Wing Aircraft | All Things Aviaton [...]

  2. Peter C says:
    January 29, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I like the view from a low wing when flying the pattern, and I like the view from a high wing the rest of the time. I plan on solving this conundrum by building a biplane.

  3. admin says:
    January 29, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    Well, for sure that is one way to resolve the High Wing/Low Wing issue!

    Biplanes are pretty cool to fly – I have a little time in a Stearman and it was a great ride!

    JetAviator7

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